#milgram 2

[milgram-en]

MILGRAM Novel 2 Full English Translation Glossary

Title: MILGRAM 2: Justifiable Righteous Murder Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Book of Sin: Tatsumi Chapter 9 Smoking 1 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Book of Sin: Rina & Mei Chapter 12 Smoking 2 Chapter 13 Book of Sin: Mako Chapter 14 Smoking 3 Book of Sin: Tomonari Chapter 15

[milgram-en]

SMOKING 1

“Now you’ve shown me how cool of a warden you are,” I say, taking out a cigarette and lighting it. I take a long drag, then exhale deeply. Watching the purple smoke rise in the dimly lit private room for a few moments. There aren’t many wardens who can say “I’ll save you.” Most of the prison guards brought to MILGRAM are useless, unable to make their own decisions, or become exceedingly arrogant after obtaining power, or refuse to cooperate with MILGRAM and are disposed of. Nevertheless, what I wanted was a warden with an unwavering core like Touchi Himori. I was right to push for appointing Touchi as a warden— someone who retained memories of the previous MILGRAM. Touchi may think that it was common for prisoners who have been judged salvation to become a warden, but as far as he knows, there has not been a single precedent of it.  After all, “they have already ended.” Still, I needed myself a partner like Touchi. Of course there were objections from the higher ups, but since I’d been producing good results in my work until now, it was eventually permitted. Since things were still in its testing stage, the higher ups’ desire to try out all sorts of cases worked out in my favor. “Keep it up and show me something more interesting, Es.” The cigarette flickered. After this break was over, I had to go back to my job of being a prison administrator. I hated that depraved prison. I also hated my job as an administrator. But. No matter how much I wanted to throw up. I couldn’t quit yet. Pressing the tip of my cigarette firmly onto the ashtray, I mutter softly, “…What truly deserves to be judged aren’t the prisoners, but MILGRAM itself."

[milgram-en]

SMOKING 3

Inside the dimly lit private room. I pick up the box of cigarettes on my desk, it crumpled up. I look and see that there was only one left. It was almost empty.  “I’ll have to go get some more…” Two days have passed since Mako’s trial ended. After this break, I plan to open Tomonari’s Book of Sin. A notification arrived on the management terminal saying that the supplies were ready to be sent. One of the requested items was sent expedited, while the remaining preparations seems to be in good order. All that’s left to do is to approve it, then everything Touchi needs will be sent to the prison. When Touchi and Mako were talking in the interrogation room, I resolutely refrained from interjecting. A good administrator would have suppressed the scene. A good administrator wouldn’t have approved Touchi’s request for supplies. However. “I’m not a good administrator in the first place.” I approve the shipment on the terminal. The stage was set. Now, the only thing that’s left is hope that Touchi will show us something interesting. “Good luck, Es.” I light the last cigarette. With my expression being hidden in the smoke, I laugh secretly. “Please destroy the intentions of MILGRAM.”

[milgram-en]

SMOKING 2

With a lit cigarette in my mouth, I walk down the bleak, white corridor of the facility. The verdict of Rina and Mei could have gone either way, so the outcome wasn’t particularly surprising. What was surprising was that Himori Touchi left his final judgment to his emotions. After the trial ended, I asked him what he based his decision on. He told me what he was thinking before making his verdict slowly as if he was trying to organize his thoughts. He seems to have changed a lot from the time he was evaluated to be unfeeling and indifferent towards others. Influenced by regaining the memory of his crimes and Kogami Sumi, who completed her role as Warden Es, he faced Tatsumi’s death. The intense experience in MILGRAM must have caused Touchi to grow rapidly. His use of logic and emotions to make a judgment makes him an ideal person. …I hope he can be successfully recruited. “Oi.” A man’s voice calls out of nowhere. I hadn’t noticed initially as I was lost in thought, but in front of me, right down at the end of the hallway, an arrogant man was leaning against the wall; my boss. “What’s wrong? You look displeased.” “You shouldn’t smoke that sort of stuff here,” the boss pointed to my cigarette.  I had no choice but to put it out on the portable ashtray I was carrying and throw the cigarette butt into it. “Huh. There’s no rule that says you can’t smoke, though.” “Of course there isn’t. There isn’t anyone who tries to smoke except for you. There’s plenty of legal substances that are more harmless and give greater pleasure. Well- I don’t do any of that since I’m always satisfied.” “You’re having the most fun when you’re pursuing ‘aesthetics’ in MILGRAM anyway, don’t you?” “Don’t just sum it up with a simple word like ‘fun’. This job is incredibly ambitious and endlessly fascinating. It’s almost intoxicating. Anyways, how is Himori Touchi doing?” “I’ve reported that the proceedings are going well, didn’t I?” “That’s not what I’m talking about. What I’m worried about is his presence causing some strange issues. He shouldn’t be there in the first place. I gave you special permission because you insisted.” What I’m worried about is his presence causing some strange issues. He shouldn’t be there in the first place. I gave you special permission because you insisted.” “That area is being closely monitored. There are no abnormalities in neither the individual nor MILGRAM’s environment. There will be no impact on the future of the trials.” “...Hm, that’s fine then. Whatever you say. You’re number two here anyway— second only to me. I have no intention of doubting your work.” A moment of silence passed through the hallway. It seems that my boss’ business was over.  “By the way, the topic of the previous Jackalope often comes up with Himori Touchi. What happened to her?” I asked on a whim. The boss sighed. “We caught the vessel, but the [contents] escaped. She was in a different facility so we weren’t able to get there fast enough. It’s infuriating.” “Is that so?” I’d thought that she’d been disposed of but I was glad to hear that she managed to escape. The boss is clearly frustrated, but inwardly I laugh softly to myself. Serves you right. “Well then, I’d better get back to work.” I gave a slight nod before leaving my boss and heading to my own workroom.  MILGRAM was by no means a monolith. Knowing that made me feel so much better.